24/7 FREE CONSULTATION (314) 361-4242

Knee Injury from Car Accident

The knee is one of those body parts most susceptible to injury in a car accident. Talk to a Lawyer for Free 24/7 at (314) 361-4242!

The knee can bang against the dashboard, the steering column, the door, or any other place in the car due to the impact of an auto collision and sustain an injury. There are various types of knee injuries, and treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the injury. The severity of a knee injury often depends on the force of the impact, the speed at the time of impact, and the angle at which your knee hit the dashboard or other part of the vehicle.

Symptoms of Knee Injury

If you are involved in a car accident, you should generally get a physical examination done to rule out any injuries. This is important become some injuries are not felt immediately after the impact and the symptoms start showing after a period of time. The pain may be mild initially and can get progressively worse, impacting day to day life as the knee becomes unstable and starts affecting normal walking and other activities.

Discoloration: The bruise can cause the injured area to become discolored. If the area becomes infected, the affected area may start looking green or yellow.

Temperature variation: As a normal reaction to the injury, the knee may try to heal itself, and this response might make the injured area feel warmer than usual. A warm knee may also indicate an infection.

Limited range: The patient might not be able to move the limb in ways they could before the auto accident. This can be a sign of a serious knee injury.

Sensation: After the injury, the knee may become sensitive to the touch and may become tender and sore.

Reduced strength: The shock of the crash and the subsequent injury to the knee can result in reduced strength. It is the body’s way of telling you that you have been hurt and need to recover.

The trauma and blunt force of a car accident can pose various risks to your health. Knee injuries are common injuries reported in car accident cases. Untreated knee injuries can cause future mobility issues.

Types of Knee Injuries Due to St. Louis Auto Accidents

A car accident can lead to a variety of knee injuries, including:

Knee fractures: The intense exertion or force on a bone can cause a fracture. This can further lead to discoloring and bone deformities. The bone may start sticking out of the skin in some severe cases. Doctors may use a cast to hold the broken bone in its place while it heals. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Knee dislocation: Bone dislocation occurs when it is not where it should be. In the case of knee dislocation, the leg bones are not in the correct position with respect to the thigh bone known as the femur. This typically occurs if the knee hits a hard surface like the dashboard. In severe cases, the dislocation can cut off blood supply to the leg and necessitate amputation.

Sprain/strain: Stretch, tear, or any damage to the tendons, muscles, ligaments, or joint capsules can cause a sprain or strain.

Torn cartilage: The knee pads act as shock absorbers, and any trauma to the area can cause a tear in the connective structure. This can result when there is a sprain or strain to the knee.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury: This ligament runs across the knee and provides stability and strength. Any damage to this ligament is serious and requires immediate medical attention.

Posterior cruciate ligament injury: It runs across the ACL and is a stronger ligament that provides support and acts as a brake. Severe shock and trauma can cause a tear or injury.

Medial collateral ligament injury: This is a common sports injury. However, it also occurs as a result of car accidents. MCL injury can cause a tingling sensation in the knee. This injury might require surgical treatment and prolonged medical care.

Treatment of Knee Injury

Treatment for a knee injury varies with the severity of the injury. The first treatment for minor injuries is RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This helps reduce the swelling of the knee, and thereafter a doctor can carry out a correct diagnosis to ascertain the extent of injury. An X-ray or MRI is conducted by the doctor to gauge the severity of the damage. In case of minor injury like a sprain, the doctor may prescribe some pills for pain and swelling accompanied with lots of rest, as healing can occur only when the knee is immobile.

A severe knee injury like a ligament tear also follows a similar treatment like a sprain. However, the treatment continues for a prolonged period and is generally followed by physical therapy. A ligament tear treatment, on the other hand, may involve surgery.

Receiving Compensation for Medical Expenses

Treatment for a severe knee injury is quite expensive, and unfortunately, some accident victims do not have medical insurance to pay for the bills. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have 25 years of experience helping injured car accident victims in and around St. Louis, Missouri recover full and fair compensation after a car accident. Give us a call today for a free case evaluation.


Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

Free Consultation (314) 361-4242

Updated: June 2, 2022